Birth 25NOV29 Rank SFC Date of Death 02JUN68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit 101st Abn Div, B Co, 1st Bn, 501st Inf Death Code Hostile, Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 14275297 Panel 61WEST - 13   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 01APR68 Comment   Cemetery

Birth 05OCT43 Rank 1LT Date of Death 03JUN68 P. of birth   Service Army (Reserve) Place Kontum, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit C Co, 1/35, 3rd Bde, 4th Inf Div Death Code Hostile, Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # O5340186 Panel 61WEST - 23   married Married MIA -   Medals Combat Inf. Badge, Silver Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Tour Date 13APR68 Comment   Cemetery

   William Scott HARALSON

Birth 23FEB48 Rank PFC Date of Death 04JUN68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Everett Unit Co C, 1 Bn, 4 Mars, 3 Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died wounds; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, or Mortar Hometown   service # 2315274 Panel 60WEST - 11   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 22DEC67 Comment   Cemetery   Cascade High School, Everett WA, 1968

Birth 03OCT47 Rank PFC Date of Death 04JUN68 P. of birth White Salmon Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record White Salmon Unit B Co, 1/27th Mar, 1st Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died Wounds; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2394578 Panel 60WEST - 13   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 17FEB68 Comment Maryhill War Memorial Cemetery Willamette National Cemetery, Portland OR

1ST WHITE SALMON BOY KILLED AT QUANG NAM; VIETMAN
    Word has been received here of the death of a White Salmon man, Pf. Lonnie M. Wedrick, the 20 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wedrick, was killed in action in Quang Nam, 4 Jun (1968).
    The following telegram was received by his father, Lawrence M. Wedrick:
    I deeply regret to confirm that your son Pf. Lonnie M. Wedrick, USMC, died June 4, 1968, at the Station Hospital in Danang, from injuries sustained the same date, in the vicinity of Quang Nam. He sustained a gun shot wound to the head, from hostile rifle fire, on patrol.
General USMC
Commandant
Leonard S. Chapman
(The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., June 13, 1968, page 1

LONNIE WEDRICK SERVICES TO BE HELD JUNE 21
    Funeral services will be held Friday, June 21st for Lonnie Mark Wedrick, who died June 4th, at the Station Hospital at Da Nang, as a result of head injuries received at Quang Nam, South Vietnam the same day.
    Lonnie Wedrick was born Oct. 3, 1947 in White Salmon. He entered the service on Oct. 4, 1967 and that the time of his death he was PFC with the 27th Marines, 1st Battalion, 1st Platoon.
    Before entering the service he had worked with the Job Corp, taking training as a heavy equipment operator. His last worked for Broughten Lumber Co. for a short while before entering the service.
    Lonnie Wedrick is survived by his father, Lawrence M. Wedrick and stepmother Elizabeth F. Wedrick of White Salmon; two brothers, Laverne Wedrick, serving in the Navy on the USS Dubuque, and Ronald Wedrick, Pittsburgh, Penn.; one sister, Jeroline, one half brother, Joel, and one half sister, Teresa, living at home; two grandmas, Mae S. Wedrick, White Salmon and Mrs. Emma Tiffany, The Dalles; and a great-grandmother, Marie Edwards, Napa, California.
    Funeral Services will be held June 21 at 11:00 at Gardners Chapel, with Rev. Roger Clevenger officiating. Interment will be in the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland with services at 2:30.
    The U.S. Marine Color Guard will assist with the service. (The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., June 20, 1968, page 1)

LONNIE WEDRICK SERVICE FRIDAY
    Funeral services will be held at Gardner's Chapel in White Salmon for Lonnie Wedrick Friday, June 22, at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland at 2:30 p.m. Members of the Marines will be casket bearers at the cemetery. The Rev. Roger Clevenger will officiate.
    Lonnie Mark Wedrick was born Oct. 3, 1947 in White Salmon. He had taken heavy equipment training with the Job Corps, and had worked at Broughton Lumber Co. He entered the U.S. Marines October 4, 1967 and was a Pfc. 1c with 27th Marine, 1st battalion, 1st Platoon.
    While on duty at the Quang Nam, South Viet Nam, he received gunshot injuries to the head June 4 and died the same day at the Station Hospital at Da Nang.
    He is survived by his father and step-mother, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wedrick of White Salmon; his mother, Pearl Harris of North Bend, Ore.; two brothers Laverne Wedrick, 24, serving on the USS Dubuque, who escorted the remains home, Ronald Wedrick, 23, living in Pittsburgh, Pa.; a sister, Jeroline, age 13 of White Salmon; a half-brother Joel R. Wedrick and a half sister, Teresa Wedrick, both of White Salmon; grandmothers Mae S. Wedrick of White Salmon and Mrs. Emma Tiffany of The Dalles, Ore.; great-grandmother, Mertie Edwards of Napa, Calif. (The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., June 20, 1968, page 3)

   Jeffery Evan FESER

Birth 22OCT48 Rank LCPL Date of Death 05JUN68 P. of birth Seattle Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit Co C, 1st Bn, 1st Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown West Seattle (Seattle) service # 22663116 Panel   60WEST - 17 married Single Link C/1/1 Medals   Tour Date 08FEB68 Comment   Cemetery Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle WA     O'Dea High School, Seattle WA, 1964

Jeffery Evan FESER (a Remembrances for Jeff by his brother John Feser) Jeff was born and raised in Seattle, WA. Our family was quite active in school activities, and we took vacation trips in the summer usually camping and visiting all the national parks in the western US. Our Dad (Bob), Mom (Betty) Jeff and I (John) comprised the Feser family. Looking back on it, I guess that we were the model family for Seattle. We had a great time growing up in Seattle. In 1952 our family moved from a central Seattle apartment to our first and only family home in West Seattle. Our house was finished in phases over a couple of years, so Jeff and I got a lot of "dirt time" building forts in the back yard. Jeff attended Holy Rosary grade school that is about a mile from the house. After grade school he went to and graduated from O'Dea High School in Seattle. It was soon after graduation from O'Dea that he decided to enlist in the Marine Corp. At the time there was a wait list so he spent about 6 months working at a freight depot at the port of Seattle. It was during this time that he purchased his pride and joy, a 1967 MGB. It was a black beauty with wire wheels. It was during this time that he met his first true love, Claudia. I know that they had a great time together and were planning for their future together after his tour. After enlisting, Jeff went for basic and advanced training in CA. He graduated high in his class and was selected to attend language school. After language school Jeff went to Vietnam as a Lance Corporal. He was assigned to a line Marine Infantry unit on the DMZ. (Note: I do not remember the unit, but will take a look old letters and will update bio with that information.) While in Vietnam he spent most of the time on operational patrols on the DMZ. (Note: We have all of his old letters describing his field activities so I will post a few in the coming weeks). In one of his last letters he told us that he had put in for a transfer to become a member of a Marine/Vietnamese team he called CAP (Combined Action Platoon). He felt that he could make more use of his newly acquired language skills and help protect the village people from Viet Cong and the NVA moving into the area. Jeff was in country about six months when he was killed by machine gun fire while on mission in force to a NVA stronghold on the DMZ. He truly felt that the cause of the war was just and that he was doing the right thing for the people of Viet Nam. He was a good Marine and a great brother. He is buried at the Washelli Cemetery in Seattle in the Pearl Harbor section. (biography received from John Feser Feb 2003)

(Jeff Feser's last letter home to his brother John,)

June 1, 1968

Dear John,

We’re still waiting at Hill 558 to be helolifted to our objective. We were scheduled out for today, but the fuel depot at Cau Li blew last night so the choppers must go to Plu Bai to get refueled.

I can’t tell you much about the operation because I don’t know very much myself. Alls we do know for sure is that we’re going to have one hell of a firefight. I doubt whether many of us get out alive. We’re going to a NVA stronghold and going to kick some ass. They tell us that there are three regiments in the area and 2000 gooks at our final objective. Bravo Co. tried to secure the LZ yesterday and got the shit kicked out of them and had to be taken out with 11 KIA and 32 WIA. 2/3 which is our blocking force is completely surrounded so 2/4 is coming in from another direction or else into our LZ after we start sweeping.

The area is real heavy tropical forests and rolling hills of about 5 to 6 hundred meters high. I guess I’ll carry about 800 rounds just in case and leave most of my chow behind.

Most of us are really scared. Everybody knows what we’re going to hit so we all know what to expect. I guess its going to be just like trying to take 881 all over again. I finally had a change to go swimming again after 45 days so I’m clean one more, at least for a day.

I went to mass and confession yesterday and to mass again today so I’m pretty well squared away up above too.

Well I guess I’d better sign off for now, just remember that being a good soldier is just like being a Marine, It doesn’t take a man, just guts.

Jeff

   Ricardo Robert TEJANO

Birth 24JUL43 Rank WO Date of Death 05JUN68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Dinh Tuong, S. Vietnam Town of Record Spokane Unit 1st Avn Bde, 191st Aviation Co Death Code Hostile Died; Helicopter - Crew; Air Loss Crash - Land Hometown   service # W3158662 Panel 60WEST - 22   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 01JAN68 Comment   Cemetery

   Richard Lonnie VINGE

Birth 05APR47 Rank PVT Date of Death 05JUN68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit Co C, 1 Bn, 27 Mars, 1 Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2251275 Panel 60WEST - 23   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 19FEB68 Comment 3/27th Cemetery

Birth 27JUN46 Rank CPL Date of Death 06JUN68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Tin, S. Vietnam Town of Record Moses Lake Unit 198th LIB, A Co, 1st Bn, 52nd Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Hometown   service # 56985813 Panel 59WEST - 04 married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 02JAN68 Comment State Wrestling champ Cemetery

   Deane Franklyn SMITH Jr

Birth 23AUG47 Rank PFC Date of Death 08JUN69 P. of birth Medota IL Service Army Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Amarillo TX Unit   Death Code Hostile, Died of Wounds; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2491432  Panel 23WEST - 114   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 31MAR69 Comment Evertt   Cemetery Cypress Lawn Cemetery

   Clifford Melvin EVANS

Birth 12DEC46 Rank SGT Date of Death 09JUN68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Shelton Unit Co B, 3d TNK Bn, 3d Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2094183 Panel 58WEST - 08   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 12FEB68 Comment   Cemetery

Birth 17APR47 Rank SGT Date of Death 12JUN68 P. of birth Laramie WY Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Bingen Unit 1st Cav Div, C Co, 1st Bn, 12th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 56956786 Panel 57WEST - 04   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 18AUG67 Comment www.ranger25.com; Maryhill War Memorial Cemetery

TERRY SMITH SECOND TO DIES IN VIET NAM
    Word was received here, that Terry Smith, son of Florence W. Smith of Bingen died June 12th, 1968, while serving his country, in Viet Nam.
    Terry Smith was born April 17, 1947 in Laramie, Wyoming. He was the recipient of the Gail Larson Sportsmanship Award and a 1965 graduate of Columbia High.
    Surviving him are: his mother, Florence W. Smith, Bingen; his father Mike E. Smith; four brothers, Joe Smith, Mike Smith, Danny Smith and Earnest Smith; one sister, Melody Smith, two nieces, and four nephews.
    Funeral services are pending. (The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., June 20, 1968, page 1)

LAST RITES FOR SGT TERRY SMITH Catholic funeral services were held this week for Sgt. Terry Hugh Smith, 21, who was killed by hostile fire in Viet Nam June 12. Recitation of the Rosary was Monday, June 24 at 8 p.m. and Requiem Mass Tuesday at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in White Salmon. Fr. Brendan Dorian officiated. An army detail from Ft. Lewis conducted military rites at the graveside in Goodwill Cemetery and acted as casket bearers. Terry was born April 17, 1947 in Laramie, Wyo. He was graduated from Columbia High School in 1965, and was the recipient of the Gail Larsen Sportsmanship Award at that time. Survivors are his mother, Florence W. Smith of Bingen; his father Mike E. Smith; four brothers, Joe, Mike and Danny of Bingen and Ernest of White Salmon; a sister Melody of Bingen; two nieces and four nephews. (The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., June 27, 1968, page 5)

SERVICES HELD TUESDAY FOR TERRY SMITH Requiem Mass was held Tuesday morning, June 25, in St. Joseph's Catholic Church for Sergeant Terry Smith who died June 12th in Viet Nam. Rosary was said Monday evening, June 24, at 8 o'clock. Father Brendan Dorian officiated. Military services were held after the Mass at the White Salmon Cemetery with military casketbearers. (The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., June 27, 1968, page 7)

TERRY SMITH IS AWARDED SILVER STAR
    Mrs. Florence Smith received word Sept. 20th that her son Sgt. Terry H. Smith who was killed in action while serving in Vietnam has been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
    A representative of the Commanding General, Sixth United States Army will be communicating with her in the next few weeks to arrange for presentation.
    Prior to death, Terry had been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Combat Infantrymen Badge and the Marksmanship Badge with Machine gun bar. (The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., October 3, 1968, page 1)

   Duane Rober COTTINGHAM

Birth 15APR46 Rank LCPL Date of Death 13JUN68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Pasco Unit D Co, 1st Bn, 26th Mar, 3d Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died Wounds; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2277345 Panel 57WEST - 07   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 13JUN68 Comment   Cemetery

   Norman Elliott LODHOLM

Birth 10APR48 Rank PFC Date of Death 13JUN68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Forks Unit 1st Cav Div C Co 2nd Bn 8th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 56960250 Panel 57WEST - 08   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 27APR68 Comment   Cemetery

Birth 31DEC48 Rank PFC Date of Death 13JUN68 P. of birth Sunnyside Service Army Place Quang Ngai, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit Americal Div, 174th Asslt Hel Co, 14th Avn Bn Death Code Hostile, Died; Helicopter - Crew; Air Loss, Crash - Land Hometown   service # 18978243 Panel 57WEST - 15   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 10JAN68 Comment Cemetery

   Ralph Henry FRANCK Jr.

Birth 02NOV47 Rank PFC Date of Death 15JUN68 P. of birth Spokane Service Army (Draft) Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Spokane Unit 101st Abn Div, B Co, 2nd Bn, 502nd Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Mutiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 56986079 Panel 57WEST - 25   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 04MAR68 Comment   Cemetery Riverside

   Stephen Boyd OWEN

Birth 06APR50 Rank CPL Date of Death 16JUN68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Yakima Unit 101st Abn Div, HHC, 2nd Bn, 327th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown Yakima service # 18994864 Panel 56WEST - 07   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date   Comment Screaming Eagles Cemetery

Ronald Lee ALESHIRE

Birth 23FEB43 Rank PFC Date of Death 18JUN68 P. of birth Aberdeen wA Service Army (Draft) Place Thua Thien S. Vietnam Town of Record San Jose CA Unit 1st Cav Div (AMBL) Death Code Hostile, Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown Portland OR service # 56959900   Panel 56WEST - 16   married married Comment   Medals   Tour Date 25MAR68 Local Seattle WA Cemetery Olympia WA

-- Stephanie Aleshire MSPA Gold    Leroy Clyde GEYER

Birth 10AUG36 Rank SFC Date of Death 18JUN68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Gia Dinh S. Vietnam Town of Record Hayward CA Unit 1st Inf Div Death Code Hostile; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 19491214   Panel 56WEST - 16   married married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date Comment Tacoma   Cemetery

Birth 06OCT47 Rank PFC Corpsman Date of Death 19JUN68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Binh Duong, S. Vietnam Town of Record Spokane Unit 2/28 Inf 1st Inf Division (recon. medic) Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Misadventure Hometown   service # 56986022 Panel 56WEST - 33   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 09MAR68 Comment   Cemetery

   Gerald Arthur PHILLIPS

Birth 10JUN34 Rank SP6 Date of Death 19JUN68 P. of birth Walla Walla Service Army Place Binh Dinh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Erwin NC Unit 1st Avn Bde   Death Code Non-Hostile; Helicopter-Crew; Air Loss, Crash on Land Hometown   service # 56274906   Panel 56WEST - 37   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 01MAY68 Comment Tacoma   Cemetery Spokane Memorial Gardens

Richard Edward WHITE

Birth 20JUN47 Rank LCPL Date of Death 19JUN68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Port Angeles Unit I Co, 3/1st Mar Div Death Code Non-Hostile Died; Ground Casualty; Other Accident Hometown   service # 2314985 Panel 55WEST - 03   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 12MAY68 Comment   Cemetery

Birth 02JUN48 Rank SP4 Date of Death 21JUN68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Hau Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit 101st Airborne, C Co. 1st Bn, 506 Inf Death Code Hostile Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 19897953 Panel 55WEST - 14   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 05DEC67 Comment   Cemetery      Wilson High School, Tacoma WA, 1965

    WARNER CRAIG JACOBSON

Birth 04JUN42 Rank CAPT Date of Death 22JUN68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Quang Nam S. Vietnam Town of Record Fresno CA Unit 9th MAB, E Co, 2nd bn, 4th Marines Death Code Hostile, Died; Helicopter - Non crew; Air Loss, Crash on Land Hometown Milwaukie service # 2152236 Panel 55WEST - 18 Married Single In Service 4 yrs Medals Purple Heart   Tour Date 28DEC67 Comment Longview WA resident Cemetery

   Melvin Richard WHITE

Birth 18JAN38 Rank CWO Date of Death 27JUN68 P. of birth   Service Army (Reserve) Place Bien Hoa, S. Vietnam Town of Record Everett Unit 1st Avn Bde, B Trp, 7th Sqdr, 1st Cav Death Code Non-Hostile Died; Helicopter - Pilot; Air Loss Crash - Land Hometown Sultan service # W3155413 Panel 54WEST - 07   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 27FEB68 Comment   Cemetery Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle WA

   Stephen Mark GARDNER

Birth 02SEP48 Rank LCPL Date of Death 28JUN68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Wenatchee Unit COM, 3rd Bn, 3d Mar, 3d Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown Arlington WA service # 2389113 Panel 54WEST - 10   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 10MAR68 Comment   Cemetery

Birth 20FEB47 Rank PFC Date of Death 29JUN68 P. of birth Ft Worth TX Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Arlington Unit unknown Death Code Hostile, Died Wounds; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Hometown   service # 2251252 Panel 54WEST - 14   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 12SEP67 Comment   Cemetery     Arlington High School, Arlington WA, 1966